Letters to the Editor 06-07-2004
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Attended Memorial Dedication - No Need To Be Ashamed - Remembering Veterans - Wonderful World
Attended Memorial Dedication
Editor, Times-Union:I have just returned from Washington, D.C., where my wife and I attended the WW II Memorial dedication. We took my father and mother to see the long overdue ceremony that officially recognized the 16 million Americans who served in the U.S. effort to protect our democratic way of life and beliefs. (Dad served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater while mother stayed home to run the family grocery store in Pierceton.) To say that the occasion was incredible is a vast understatement. I have never witnessed a public display of such pride and humility as I saw in the eyes and the posture of the veterans that were there from all over the country. These were folks that represented an entire generation of people who truly understood what our country's values are, and never questioned those values when it came time to defend them. Tom Brokaw remembers them as a generation that left their homes and families behind, still in the midst of an economic depression, and went off to fight in places that they had never even heard of. And then, four years later, returned home to build a nation that provides us all with a set of values and a standard of living that has long been the envy of the entire world.
We met and saw people who survived the Normandy invasion, Iwo Jima and POW camps. These are true American heroes, but none of which would tell their story unless asked about it. I saw person after person approach my father, shake his hand and say, "Thank you for what you did, sir," and then walk off. And each time, Dad would smile a little and nod. Young children would ask for the autographs and a picture of as many of the elder soldiers that they could. Young servicemen would stop and talk with their elders. They would ask where they had served and tell them how much they appreciated what they had done so many years ago.
It seemed that for a few days, on that site in Washington, D.C., all differences in political, religious or ideological views ceased to exist. There were no demonstrations or political statements made. Instead, we quietly celebrated that special group of men and women who have set the standard for all of the rest of us to live by and enjoy. As my father and I walked away from the memorial early Sunday morning, I heard him say to himself ... "They did us proud!" Well, Dad, the entire nation is proud of you and we promise never to forget. You are, without a doubt, the Greatest Generation!
Clint Pletcher
Warsaw
via e-mail
No Need To Be Ashamed
Editor, Times-Union:Ref.: "Ashamed" by Deanna Newton May 14, 2004.
Ashamed to be an American? Weapons of mass destruction? Prisoner abuse in Iraq? Sounds like you've been inside all winter, Ms. Newton.
I'm just guessing, but I think at your age I was still sucking on blow pops, playing four square and dancing the macarena.
As an American I bet this is your first experience with war. Sometimes during a war our emotions are cast so far away from the boat we lose sight of our reasoning, so let me see if I can reel you back in a little.
You say you were born in America to Christian parents. Well now, you better prepare yourself for a rough summer, what with all those pillow fights, trampolines, swimming pools, four wheelers and backyard barbecues.
On top of all that you'll have to contend with all those darn marinas, zoos, public parks and baseball diamonds, not to mention huge bowls of wilted lettuce salad, country fried chicken and homemade peach cobbler.
That used to just tucker me plum out till I learned to take a nap about mid-day. then I could keep that pace up till clear past dark, but I think it would be real hard to do that if you had to move from one refugee camp to the next just to stay alive.
Ashamed to be an American? Life's harsh. I guess you'll just have to deal with it the best you can Ms. Newton, we all have our burdens to bear. Here's a little advice to help you make it through the summer. Don't carry so much food on your plate. That way you can carry your lemonade and your plate all the way over to that picnic table without having to worry about that paper plate buckling in the middle.
Steven R. Frantz
Warsaw
Remembering Veterans
Editor, Times-Union:Your series on war veterans makes me think of my dad, Don J. Adams. He grew up on Lake Street and tried to enlist right after Pearl Harbor, but his mom wouldn't let him. He finally enlisted on Aug. 31, 1942, six days after his 18th birthday. He told of walking across North Africa, then getting on a boat to Sicily, walking across Sicily, then another boat to southern France. He said he then walked across France, to Austria and finally, Germany. He talked about finding a water tower in North Africa and taking a long cold shower. He told of liberating a concentration camp and winking at the girls as they showered. He told of his friend who stepped on a mine and died on the last day of the war.
Other than that, he never talked of the three years he spent at war. I have no way of knowing how that affected him throughout life. He hated standing in line. When we finally convinced him to go camping with us he made it a point to take toilet paper and matches. He died Oct. 3, 1991. I never knew, until I got a copy of his discharge, that he had three Bronze Stars.
I want to thank the Times-Union for their series commemorating the stories of our veterans. I want to thank the veterans for sharing their stories of the "War to End Wars." We really do owe you all a debt that is truly un-repayable.
Mrs. Richard (Luann Adams) Woodward
Lexington, N.C.
via e-mail
Wonderful World
Editor, Times-Union:What a wonderful world we live in! It is wonderful because there are people and companies that are willing to give back to our community in order to build a brighter future. Through R.R. Donnelley's generous support of funds, materials, employee time and talent, the first- and second-graders' Sesquicentennial Essay Time Capsule Contest was an event that has set the bar of excellence high for all upcoming Sesquicentennial events.
A big thank-you also goes to the Detroit Street Pizza Hut for the generous lunch they provided for the winners, and to The Downtown, Gordy's, Warsaw Sesquicentennial Committee and R.R. Donnelley for providing Sesquicentennial T-shirts for the classes.
And thank you to the students who, with the guidance of their teachers, provided us with insightful thoughts about what our future should be - "a world with no mean people, wars, weapons, robbers, storms, boo-boos or eyeglasses."
Sally Hogan
Sesquicentennial Chairwoman
Warsaw
via e-mail
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- Attended Memorial Dedication - No Need To Be Ashamed - Remembering Veterans - Wonderful World
Attended Memorial Dedication
Editor, Times-Union:I have just returned from Washington, D.C., where my wife and I attended the WW II Memorial dedication. We took my father and mother to see the long overdue ceremony that officially recognized the 16 million Americans who served in the U.S. effort to protect our democratic way of life and beliefs. (Dad served with the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater while mother stayed home to run the family grocery store in Pierceton.) To say that the occasion was incredible is a vast understatement. I have never witnessed a public display of such pride and humility as I saw in the eyes and the posture of the veterans that were there from all over the country. These were folks that represented an entire generation of people who truly understood what our country's values are, and never questioned those values when it came time to defend them. Tom Brokaw remembers them as a generation that left their homes and families behind, still in the midst of an economic depression, and went off to fight in places that they had never even heard of. And then, four years later, returned home to build a nation that provides us all with a set of values and a standard of living that has long been the envy of the entire world.
We met and saw people who survived the Normandy invasion, Iwo Jima and POW camps. These are true American heroes, but none of which would tell their story unless asked about it. I saw person after person approach my father, shake his hand and say, "Thank you for what you did, sir," and then walk off. And each time, Dad would smile a little and nod. Young children would ask for the autographs and a picture of as many of the elder soldiers that they could. Young servicemen would stop and talk with their elders. They would ask where they had served and tell them how much they appreciated what they had done so many years ago.
It seemed that for a few days, on that site in Washington, D.C., all differences in political, religious or ideological views ceased to exist. There were no demonstrations or political statements made. Instead, we quietly celebrated that special group of men and women who have set the standard for all of the rest of us to live by and enjoy. As my father and I walked away from the memorial early Sunday morning, I heard him say to himself ... "They did us proud!" Well, Dad, the entire nation is proud of you and we promise never to forget. You are, without a doubt, the Greatest Generation!
Clint Pletcher
Warsaw
via e-mail
No Need To Be Ashamed
Editor, Times-Union:Ref.: "Ashamed" by Deanna Newton May 14, 2004.
Ashamed to be an American? Weapons of mass destruction? Prisoner abuse in Iraq? Sounds like you've been inside all winter, Ms. Newton.
I'm just guessing, but I think at your age I was still sucking on blow pops, playing four square and dancing the macarena.
As an American I bet this is your first experience with war. Sometimes during a war our emotions are cast so far away from the boat we lose sight of our reasoning, so let me see if I can reel you back in a little.
You say you were born in America to Christian parents. Well now, you better prepare yourself for a rough summer, what with all those pillow fights, trampolines, swimming pools, four wheelers and backyard barbecues.
On top of all that you'll have to contend with all those darn marinas, zoos, public parks and baseball diamonds, not to mention huge bowls of wilted lettuce salad, country fried chicken and homemade peach cobbler.
That used to just tucker me plum out till I learned to take a nap about mid-day. then I could keep that pace up till clear past dark, but I think it would be real hard to do that if you had to move from one refugee camp to the next just to stay alive.
Ashamed to be an American? Life's harsh. I guess you'll just have to deal with it the best you can Ms. Newton, we all have our burdens to bear. Here's a little advice to help you make it through the summer. Don't carry so much food on your plate. That way you can carry your lemonade and your plate all the way over to that picnic table without having to worry about that paper plate buckling in the middle.
Steven R. Frantz
Warsaw
Remembering Veterans
Editor, Times-Union:Your series on war veterans makes me think of my dad, Don J. Adams. He grew up on Lake Street and tried to enlist right after Pearl Harbor, but his mom wouldn't let him. He finally enlisted on Aug. 31, 1942, six days after his 18th birthday. He told of walking across North Africa, then getting on a boat to Sicily, walking across Sicily, then another boat to southern France. He said he then walked across France, to Austria and finally, Germany. He talked about finding a water tower in North Africa and taking a long cold shower. He told of liberating a concentration camp and winking at the girls as they showered. He told of his friend who stepped on a mine and died on the last day of the war.
Other than that, he never talked of the three years he spent at war. I have no way of knowing how that affected him throughout life. He hated standing in line. When we finally convinced him to go camping with us he made it a point to take toilet paper and matches. He died Oct. 3, 1991. I never knew, until I got a copy of his discharge, that he had three Bronze Stars.
I want to thank the Times-Union for their series commemorating the stories of our veterans. I want to thank the veterans for sharing their stories of the "War to End Wars." We really do owe you all a debt that is truly un-repayable.
Mrs. Richard (Luann Adams) Woodward
Lexington, N.C.
via e-mail
Wonderful World
Editor, Times-Union:What a wonderful world we live in! It is wonderful because there are people and companies that are willing to give back to our community in order to build a brighter future. Through R.R. Donnelley's generous support of funds, materials, employee time and talent, the first- and second-graders' Sesquicentennial Essay Time Capsule Contest was an event that has set the bar of excellence high for all upcoming Sesquicentennial events.
A big thank-you also goes to the Detroit Street Pizza Hut for the generous lunch they provided for the winners, and to The Downtown, Gordy's, Warsaw Sesquicentennial Committee and R.R. Donnelley for providing Sesquicentennial T-shirts for the classes.
And thank you to the students who, with the guidance of their teachers, provided us with insightful thoughts about what our future should be - "a world with no mean people, wars, weapons, robbers, storms, boo-boos or eyeglasses."
Sally Hogan
Sesquicentennial Chairwoman
Warsaw
via e-mail
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